Anadarko resumes fracking after death of Halliburton worker

MEAD – Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) has resumed oil and natural-gas well completion activities following the death of a contractor and injuries to two other workers at a site in Weld County.

The Woodlands, Texas,-based company, among the top oil producers in Weld, began initial completion activities Thursday and will return to full activity this weekend, spokeswoman Robin Olsen said in an email.

Completion involves hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, where millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals are pumped into a drilled hole to retrieve oil and gas from shale formations deep underground.

The resumption of activity by Anadarko follows the death of Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL) worker Matthew Smith, 36, of Brighton. Thomas Sedlmayr, 48, and Grant Casey, 28, both also employed with Halliburton, were injured in the accident.

Workers were trying to thaw a frozen pipe used in fracking when it ruptured Nov. 13, ejecting a high-pressure burst of water near Colorado 66 and Weld County Road 9 ½ near Mead. Anadarko suspended completion activities in the region the same day.

Authorities, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are investigating the incident.

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